In vitro antiphagocytic effect of basil oil on mouse macrophages.

The effect of basil oil on the phagocytic capability and respiratory burst response of mouse peritoneal macrophages was studied. The oil inhibited the phagocytosis of opsonized sheep erythrocytes. This inhibition was both dose- and time-dependent and reverted 24 h after removing the extract from the culture medium. On the other hand, the oil showed no effect on concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation.